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OUR l\KESENT DUTY: 



A SERMON, 



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SOUTH BERGEX, X, J., 



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EDWARD ^V. FRENCH, 



PA STOR, 



JUl-Y •^OiJi, 1803. , 







NEW YORK: 

WM. C. BRYANT i CO., PRINTER?, 41 NASSAU STREET, CORNER OF LIBERTY. 



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OUR PRESENT DUTY: 



A SERMON, 



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SOUTH BERCrEN, M. J.. 



BT 



EDWARD W. 



FRENCH, 



PASTOR. 



JULY 30tJi, 1803. 



NEW YORK: 

■Wr"!. C. BRYANT & CO., PRINTER?, 41 NASSAU STREET, CORNER OF LIBERTY. 



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A SERMON. 



*• If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he 
put to more strength : but wisdom is profitable to direct." — Ecclesi- 
(tstes, X., IG. 

Suppose a man stands upon tlie bank of a bridge- 
less river, which he must cross. It is too deep for 
fording, and too swift for swimming. With his axe 
he can cause a tree to fall across it, and, upon the 
horizontal trunk, safely go over. But the axe is 
dull. He can do one of two things — either " put 
to more strength," or "whet the edge." " Wisdom 
is profitable to direct." 

If he is vigorous and muscular ; if there are no 
more such streams to cross ; if haste is necessary, it 
were wise to " put to more strength." 

If he is tired and feeble ; if similar difficulties 
await him ; if time is of no special account, let him 
"whet the edge." 

Is not here a picture of our National affairs ? We 
are standing upon the shore of the river of Secession. 
The bridge of Compronii-c or of Treaty cannot be 



built, because the bank is quicksand, and no bridge 
can stand. The furious current wouhd quickly choke 
the foolhardy adventurer. 

The tree of Rebellion grows upon the congenial- 
shore. We of the North must cross. The axe of 
War is in our hands. We shall not leave Danger 
and Dishonor behind us, until that prostrate tree 
covers the stream. 

But " the iron is blunt" For more than a year 
we have been hacking at its tough and vast trunk ; 
yet it is strong to-day. 

What saith Wisdom ? Ye are young and stalwart. 
Strength is on your side. Rebeldom has Seven Hun- 
dred Thousand men, all told. Ye have three times 
as many. A right settlement of the question of Se- 
cession will be permanent ; for the demon which is 
its spirit has but one life. Ye cannot aiford to 
squander a day. The very hours are precious. 
Delay harrasses the brave, makes the feeble-minded 
arrant cowards, fortifies the foe by adding to his 
power here and to his prestige abroad, swells your 
expenditures and complicates your difficulties. Ye 
must not delay to " whet the edge " by the tedious 
processes of Statecraft, or by perfecting martial tac- 
tics or munitions. The needed change is not in the 
Instrument, but in the Agent. 

Therefore, "put to more strength"! Gather, im- 
mediately, an energy whose terrific momentum shall 
speedily snap the last splinter of the tree of Treason! 



The practical question for us to-day is — 

How shall M'c. "put to more strength"? I offer 
three answers. First, by aiding the Enlistments. 

Justice to our Generals and Soldiers, and the Crisis 
itself, demand more men ; even now, in summer- 
heats — now, though they go to the Capitol without 
uniform and drill. 

It ought to be a personal question with every 
young and middle-aged man — Why am I here '? 
Why should I be in comfort and safety, when my 
fellow-countrymen are periling life itself? Am I 
honorably discharged by any disability ? 

Not the roving or adventurous disposition, not 
hope of gain or preferment, calls men to arms now, 
but Patriotism, which is Duty and Honor. Conscience 
sounds the clarion to-day. No business so remunera- 
tive, no love so fervent, no tie so strong, as will in 
itself warrant the withholding of a soldier I Shall 
none go but the unsettled, the unloved and solitary ? 
Shall the foreign-born distance the native in the 
chivalric race, and wear his wreath ? Shall these be 
our heroes and posterity's delight ? Not thus has it 
been. Our best blood has reddened river and turf 
To-day it tinges with manly pride the cheek of tens 
of armed thousands, as they gaze on " The Dear Old 
Flag." Whose Husband, or Brother, or Son, is too 
good for our Country's need? Who will talk of 
price or cost, who will presume to estimate values, 
when Liberty, Authority, and Religion are at stake ? 

Consider the inevitable consequences of this strife, 



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even in event of onr triumpli I The excessive mar- 
tial spirit, which spares an arm. from a deadly struggle 
to shake defiance at Intervention — a war-loving spirit 
that is now fashioning the career of our children and 
of generations unborn — the National Debt, surpassing 
comprehension, whose pressures are yet to be felt — 
the palsy of Prosperity and the dejDreciation of 
Property — forms of inertness and decay — the Na- 
tional Loss, which must include the results of all 
our victories, for Rebeldom is a part of our Repub- 
lic — the prolonged agonies of captives, of wounded, 
mutilated and sick — the multitude slain — the deso- 
lation of homes — the ruin of character— the stand- 
ing libel upon Christianity by this mortal variance 
between those joined by Commerce, by Lineage and 
Language, by Marriage, by Historic Glories, and by 
the grander affiliations of the Church of Christ — this 
is a glimpse of results that cannot be escaped. Li- 
fluences are self-perpetuating and immortal ; and 
those, which this iniquitous Lisurrection has begotten, 
will thrive, when every actor and spectator in the 
colossal tragedy sleep in dust. 

Consider, too, the possible consequences ! A Na- 
tion's loss of self-respect, which means disintegration 
and extinction — our Honor defiled, not so much 
through defeat by inferior numbers, or because our 
superior thrift and intelligence avail nothing, as l)y 
the intolerable consciousness that Apathy, Coward- 
ice, and Schism vanquished us — our belittlement as 
a Nation, shut up to a belt of Continentj between 



jealous and powerful rivals, at least one of them, 
exultant, domineering, and unscrupulous — a Missis- 
sippi without an outlet — but half the Lakes, and a 
strip of sea-board at the sun-rising and setting — the 
moral sense of foreign Christians, wounded by us and 
condemnatory of us; and the asserted vindication, 
by the sword's arbitration, of the System of Slavery, 
as a foundation-stone in a new Government, with its 
legalized, diffused, and perpetuated crimes against 
Humanity, Religion, and God. 

What Wife, glancing at this scanty outline, re- 
membering that no human pen can fill it — that no 
eye but that of God can compass it — would fold the 
arms of shorl-sighted love around her volunteering 
Husband's neck ? What true Maiden would quench 
with the cold waters of selfishness the patriotic fire 
of Lover or Brother, or even consent to the attention 
of one so sordid or timid, that he Avill not heed his 
native Country's cry ? What Mother would not give 
the sword to her son, though she could not see him, 
because of her tears, or audibly bless him, because 
of her distress ? 

New Jersey's quota is not yet full. Where is the 
fair allotment from this Township ? Are there none 
here, who ought to be in the field? I call upon you. 
Men of this Congregation ! There is a reason in your 
wealth or competency for your prompt enrolment. 
Your absence will bring no pecuniary suffering to 
them you love. 

But if your kindred need a substitute for your in- 



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diistry ; justice, not almsgiving, shall provide it. 
Care of tliem you leave is fully and fairly earned at 
our hands. 

We would gladly retain all our men and youth, 
were Friendship alone consulted; but let the just 
proportion of them speak the heroic resolve — We 
will go ! — and here, in the High Court of Jehovah 
of Hosts, the Hymn of Liberty^s Champions shall greet 
them, and the Prayer of Christian Patriotism shall 
consecrate them. 

The second way, in which we can "put to more 
strength," is by cultivating Unanimity. 

The many questions, before the People, are included 
in one — Shall this Republic be a Unit? Whatever 
draws public attention from this vital point weakens 
us. They are foes, who seek to scatter our thought. 
If the North had truly but one mind, this War would 
leap to a triumphant end, A faction, here, is more 
formidable than a rebel regiment. A disaffected 
citizen is a wedge of rupture. The professed neutral 
is a practical Traitor. Lack of sympathy for our 
Government is a crime. 

Would we were sensitive to the inexorable and 
tremendous needs of the Hour ! They have changed 
relations and words. True leniency is Rigor. The 
indiscriminate severity of Justice is Magnanimity and 
Clemency. That tribunal is the real Peace-Maker, 
which only waits to prove guilt before it strikes. 
Would we only realized that we have nothing to fear 
from Justice, let its bolt fall where it may ! Would 



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that our joined liauds poured punisliment upon proved 
Disloyalty ! Why do not considerations of Safety and 
Honor unite the North ! Away with all distinction 
but that of loyal efficiency ! Silent be all partisan 
clamor, and dead all personal Ambition ! 

for a pure and prevalent sentiment, that would 
trample under foot, not by lawless personal vengeance, 
but by authorized Courts, the mere Politicians, either 
secretly allied to the South, or rabid for power and 
pelf, and so manufacturing or reviving party names 
and issues — the Zealots, blind to all ideas but one, 
bent upon subordinating to that both the Nation and 
the War, and either reckless or thoughtless of insepar- 
able results — the Grumblers, chronic fault-finders, 
upbraiding men and measures, with sight and palate 
only for the Carrion of imperfections and offences — 
the would-be Prophets, ever boding ill, but unchecked 
by the steady exposure, as time rolls on, of their 
ignorance and fatuity — the temporizing Cowards, 
over whose stores and houses are the Stars and 
Stripes to-day, but who would hurrah and kneel if 
the Slaveholders' Chief should victoriously enter New 
York City to-morrow. When parents " spare the 
rod " — when teachers chase moral suasion into loss 
of authority — when the Church withholds needed 
discipline — when the assassin is permitted to escape 
— when the over-persuaded Executive pardons the 
criminal — there is Pusillanimity, Cruelty, and Guilt. 
And when the froward children of the Republic — 
incorrigible dolts in the school of Freedom — apostates 



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from the spirit of the New Testament Church — haters 
and assailers of the Nation's Life — are apologized for 
and protected, who can measure our peril and mean- 
ness ! 

Our Nation is convulsed with throes, like those of 
birth — jet we are almost idle and dumb. We under- 
rate the Exigency. We disdain to believe that the 
evil day is actually upon us. How long shall we 
stain ourselves with the blood, and writhe with the 
pain, of self-inflicted wounds? When shall whole- 
some severity take the place of suicidal lenity ? How 
long shall men and papers be tolerated, that breathe 
covert treachery and sedition ? How long shall sym- 
pathizers with Secession be retained in office, or even 
permitted the control of their persons and property ? 
Forbearance itself has no plea. Already, too long, 
has the Banner of the Union protected those who 
hate and villify it. 

Ah ! it is sickening to hear men and women Avho 
know better, vociferating "Peace! 'Peace ! — when 
there is no Peace." 

The word hath a goodly sound. It glided to earth 
from the vocabulary of Heaven, when the Son of 
David was born. 

But Peace without Honor — Peace, except on the 
solid basis of Ptighteousness, is Infamy, Anguish, and 
Ruin. Let us not confound the temper and the act 
of Forgiveness! They are widely different. We 
should have the former under all circumstances. No 
injury can warrant even the disposition to retaliate. 



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"Vengeance is Mine ; I will repay, saitli tlie Lord." 
"Charity tliinketli no evil." The spirit of Love de- 
pends upon ourselves. But not so with the forgiving- 
act. Its propriety is contingent. Forgive a repent- 
ant offender " seventy times seven times," but for- 
o'ive him not once while defiant. As often as he asks 
to be forgiven, forgive him ; but waste not the celes- 
tial grace, and become not partaker of his evil deeds, 
by favoring callousness and disdain. The Lord Him- 
self pardons the penitent suppliant only. Persistence 
in known sin makes Mercy impossible. So He would 
have us set a flinty front against this headstrong and 
hateful outbreak of States. Their relenting should 
be welcomed, but their contumacy should be scourged 
into extinction. As citizens, as patriots, as Christians, 
we ought to be positive, inflexible, vehement. Here 
is room for noble emulation. Whosoever moulds 
opposing opinions into zeal for the wholeness of our 
Government — whoever scatters the fears of the tim- 
orous, the chimeras of the credulous, or the vacilla- 
tion of the double-minded — whoever inspires the 
public heart with tranquility, courage, and liberality, 
reinforces every Union Encampment from the Potomac 
to the Mississippi. 

Thus must we do, or indellibly record ourselves 
unjust to our soldiers, bleeding, languishing, dying, 
dead — unjust to the undaunted throngs that wait but 
their Chieftain's word — unjust to the memory of our 
Fathers, and to our Sacred Cause. Yes ! we repeat 
the schoolboy's copy as our watchword now, " United, 



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we stand; Divided, we fall!" Let it be the criterion 
of public plans, and the mould of private conduct ! 
Hint disaffection, suggest compromise, and millions 
of throats shall hurl in your fjice your true name — 
Traitor ! 

Give your hand to your neighbor. Hold it as 
though your hands had grown together. Bid him 
extend his remaining hand. Do likewise. Let hand 
marry hand, till the fleshy chain has linked the North 
in indissoluble Brotherhood. Then we need be dis- 
quieted as little by foreign scowls as by domestic 
raids. Then shall the Rebellion hasten to hide its 
dishonored head in a perpetual grave. 

There is a lack — a national motto, reflecting the 
policy of the Administration, and the heart of the 
People — a universal pass-word, born of Genius, hal- 
lowed by Religion, sanctioned by Authority, and 
surcharged with Patriotism and Liberty — in words 
simple, few, and short, agreeing with song, oration, 
and prayer — trenchant, talismanic words, that would 
educate, thrill, and unify the good and true at North 
and South. May God aid some one thus to minister 
to the Right! 

The third and highest way in which we may "put 
to more strength," is by reliance upon God. 

It is here we have mainly failed. Like Nebuchad- 
nezzar, who " walked in the palace of the kingdom 
of Babylon, and said — Is not this great Babylon 
that I have built for the house of the kingdom, by 
the might of my power and for the honor of my 



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majesty? — wc, too, have complacently boasted — 
Behold that magnificent mnltitude of volunteers, 
with its efficient leaders, and immense reserve of 
twelve hundred thousand men, with national re- 
sources over which not a wave of depletion has yet 
rolled ; our Cabinet, too, with the People's Man at 
its head, and his Premier, a match for England's 
diplomatists, and even for the crafty and reticent 
Napoleon ! These have been our trust. This has 
been our self-praiseful talk all the day long. We 
have forgotten that it is " through God we shall do 
valiantly ; for lie it is that shall tread down our 
enemies." Far from pleading, "0 God, give us 
help from trouble, for vain is the help of man," w^e 
have called upon Generals — we have "trusted in 
chariots and horses." All this we must unlearn and 
renounce. If we had an army of a million, in the 
prime of discipline and health, swayed as one ser- 
A^ant by the Genius of War, it would find repulse 
either in the enemy's charge or in victory itself, 
were not God in the van. "We can do nolhinG: 

o 

against the Truth, but for the Truth." Tlie hope of 
the North is the Church of Jesus Christ. If Ilis 
Bride yields to worldliness, "casting off fear and re- 
straining prayer before God," we shall smart to our 
marrow. There is no substitute for Trust in God. 
Without it, write " Vanity of vanities " upon arma- 
ments, battalions, navies, generals, and statesmen, 
" God only is our Rock and our Salvation." It is 
God that avengeth us, and subdueth the people 



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under ns. One whisper of Faith is worth more than 
ten thousand regiments. " The gates of Hell shall 
not prevail against the Church." Is not the Mighty 
Maker's eye watching the humblest of His suffering 
creatures'? "And shall He not avenge His own 
elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He 
bear long with them ? I tell you that He will avenge 
them speedily "! We should have no more tantaliz- 
ing pauses in the story of the War, and no more 
dubious victories, if speeches were exchanged for 
prayers, and processions with banner and band for 
silent gatherings in the House of God ; if self-glorifi- 
cation and silly threat gave place to tearful confes- 
sions of personal sin and dependence, angry disputes 
to honest self-inquiries, and omnivorous readings 
of secular newspapers to devout studies of God in 
History, and of God in Revelation. Honor to our 
Administration ! Honor to our Army ! But — our 
hope is in them who can pray. 

In order to true Reliance upon God, three things 
are essential. First, that we do our part. God has 
conjoined Work and Faith. We must not put them 
asunder. The idle are the unbelieving and the un- 
blessed. When the heathen came to fight against 
Jerusalem, the Jew^s " made their prayer unto God, 
«;2(i set a watch a2:ainst" the foe, " dav and nio-ht." 
This was right. So Ave must do. Reliance upon 
God to do the work which our laziness avoids, to 
supply the treasure which our parsimony denies, or 
the men whom our selfishness detains, is presumption 



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and guilt. An element and proof of Trust is per- 
sonal devotedness. It is no use to call upon God — 
it is impossible to rely upon God — till we are doing 
our part. Neglect of means is fatal to Trust. 

The second essential is a Just Cause. Without 
this, no extent and fidelity of military preparation 
are of the least avail. Napoleon the First may im- 
piously say, "God is on the side of the heavier bat- 
talions ;" but the child-reader of the Bible knows that, 
with the God of Israel, " one shall chase a thousand, 
and two put ten thousand to flight;" for "their 
Rock has sold them, and the Lord has shut them up." 

But " the Lord of Hosts is with us." " For a small 
moment He has forsaken us, but with great mercies He 
will gather us." We say not, we dream not, that we 
are sinless. Else why this grievous tribulation ? The 
Lord is rewarding us " according to our works." It 
is amazing patience that He has spared us so long. 
Be ours the sackcloth and lamentation, the " godly 
sorrow " and renewed life ! But in the momentous 
alternatives — Liberty or Bondage — Union or Di- 
vision — we know we are right. 

And, lastly, it is indispensable that our hearts be 
clean. The material work may be thoroughly done. 
Abstract study of the case may prove our "quarrel 
just." But if our temper is wrong, God will chastise 
us. So long as we venture upon dictation or fretful- 
ness, we shall be racked with suspense and plagued 
with reverse. He is " the Lord God Omnipotent." 
"His ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not 



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our. thoughts." Ours must be a filial acquiesceuce in 
His will, though we cannot trace its workings or 
forecast its consummation ; ours the spirit which 
sacrifices self and sings when all is gone ; ours the 
humility which says, "Ascribe ye strength unto 
God "! " Let the God of my Salvation be exalted!" 
ours the charity which "blesses them that curse us, 
and does good to those that hate us ;" ours the 
prayer that faints not though our Father hides His 
power — prayer for our deluded foes, whom we love 
as we smite — prayer for our gallant army on sea and 
land — prayer for our Government, Legislative and 
Executive — prayer for the President. The Lord God 
of our Fathers be Avith Abraham Lincoln ! In him 
may the nation realize the prayer of England's patriot- 
poet — - 

" Ah God ! for a Man Avith heart, head, hand, 
Like some of the simple great ones, gone 
Forever and ever by. 
One still strong Man in a blatant land. 

Whatever they call him — what care I ? 
Aristocrat — Democrat — Autocrat — one 
Who can rule, and dare not lie." 

Then— "trust in God at all times, ye people, pour 
out your heart before Him." "In the Name of our 
God, let us set up our banners! God is a Refuge 
for us." 

" Let all the People say — Amen !" 



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